The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has declared that professionalism, accountability, and transparency will form the foundation of his leadership as he begins a new chapter in the administration of the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking at his inaugural conference with strategic police managers held at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, the IGP said the Force must rebuild and sustain public trust by upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
Disu described the conference as the beginning of a defining phase for the Nigeria Police Force following his assumption of office, noting that leadership within the institution carries enormous responsibility and expectations from both officers and the Nigerian public.
According to him, the core mandate of the Police remains to serve the people, protect the nation, and uphold the rule of law, stressing that public trust remains the foundation upon which effective policing is built.
“Professionalism, accountability, and transparency shall not be slogans; they shall be standards,” the IGP stated.
He warned that misconduct, abuse of authority, corruption, extortion, unlawful arrests, and illegal detention by officers erode public confidence and damage the image of the Force.
Disu therefore charged senior officers to lead by example, enforce discipline across commands, and maintain the highest ethical standards in the discharge of their duties.
The IGP also emphasized that respect for human rights must remain central to policing, noting that authority is most effective when exercised with fairness, restraint, and sound judgment.
As part of efforts to strengthen the institution, Disu announced plans to review recruitment processes to ensure that only individuals of sound character and competence are admitted into the Nigeria Police Force. He also disclosed that police training institutions will undergo modernization to reflect evolving security realities and global best practices.
Beyond entry-level training, the IGP said the Force would prioritize continuous professional development, specialized skills acquisition, and periodic retraining to ensure officers remain effective and technologically proficient in tackling modern security threats.
Community policing, he noted, will remain a central pillar of operational strategy, stressing that policing cannot succeed without collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
He directed Commissioners of Police across the country to strengthen engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, and civil society organizations in order to enhance collective security efforts.
On national security, Disu reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force remains the lead agency in the management of internal security, adding that the Force will adopt intelligence-led, evidence-based, and technology-driven policing models.
He said the Force will invest in modern investigative tools including digital and cyber forensics, data analytics, surveillance technologies, and scientific crime-scene management to strengthen crime prevention and investigation.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Nigerian General Elections, the IGP emphasized that the Police will maintain strict neutrality and professionalism in election security management.
He assured Nigerians that the Force will secure the electoral process before, during, and after the elections while protecting voters, electoral officials, and critical democratic institutions.
Disu warned that there will be zero tolerance for partisanship or misconduct during electoral duties, stating that any officer who compromises neutrality or violates electoral laws will face swift disciplinary action, including prosecution.
The IGP further highlighted officer welfare as a priority under his leadership, promising to address issues relating to housing, remuneration, pensions, healthcare, and overall wellbeing of personnel.
He said improving the welfare of officers would boost morale and enhance operational efficiency within the Force.
Disu concluded by calling on senior officers to align with his reform vision and demonstrate decisive leadership within their respective commands.
“History will judge us not by our intentions, but by our actions. Together, we must build a Police Force that reflects the aspirations of our people and earns their confidence every day,” he said.
